[captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> good afternoon, everyone. police are investigating a dead the overnight shooting in college park that has left two university of maryland student dead.

>> table a hole through the neighbor's window. the rear window of this subshot out. around back of the house, evidence of the fire that started it all. police released this total of the damage. three university of maryland students live in the home on 36th avenue. early this morning, police say one of the students with a small fire in the basement. his two roommates, also students, confronted him. when they ran out the front door, shots rang out. >> all i heard were six or seven shots. 50 minutes later, i heard the cops. >> we heard what sounded like firecrackers to us. multiple shots. >> both roommates were shot in the front yard. one died at the hospital, another ran to a neighbor's home for help and is expected to be ok. the shooter then went to the

back of the house to kill himself. the university put out a safety alert telling students of an off-campus shooting. the crime has credit -- rattled many. >> the university's president issued a statement this morning. in it, he extends his sympathies to the victims of families and has asked -- we are at the scene and will have the latest on the investigation coming up tonight at 5:00. we are hours away from president obama's date of the union address. the white house said they would detail his plans for growing the economy, good control, and the latest nuclear tests in north korea. danielle lea is in washington with more. >> president obama will have to

focus on the in the battle in congress tonight, the sequestration, and the gun debate. but aides say he also hopes to move the conversation forward and focus on his vision for creating jobs. money will drive president obama's stance on the state of the union. he will have a common theme of protecting the middle class. >> he will demonstrate how we have to invest in manufacturing, making the u.s. a magnet for job growth, preparing our work force, and making sure that if you work hard, you can earn a good living. >> congress has two weeks to reach a budget deal to cut the deficit or face $85 billion in automatic spending cuts. the president is continuing an old argument with a balance of spending cuts and revenues. >> let us know one thing, when the ballots? >> gun-control is also on tonight's agenda.

house democrats are bringing those affected by gun violence as their guests. from domestic battles to international unrest, president obama will have strong words for north korea who this morning conducted its third nuclear test. in a statement, the president called it a highly provocative act and promised to pursue firm action. in afghanistan, the president is expected to detail the end of the u.s.-led war there, promising 40,000 troops will be home by this time next year. florida senator rubio will deliver the republican response. following the address, the president leaves on a three-day tour to push his agenda. he hopes to create enough pressure to force a compromise on account of a hill. -- capitol hill. >> just as the president prepares for his speech tonight, the north korean news agency has reported that it has

successfully completed its third underground nuclear test. it is its third test but the first under kim jong un. the international community is condemning north korea's's nuclear test. the european union says this poses a tres to regional and international peace. they also say that this defies security council resolutions which were echoed by other nations. faye harford county schoolteacher is accused this noon of having sex with a 15- year-old student. maryland state police arrested and charged amanda miller at north carper high school. the alleged victim is a 15-year- old boy. he claimed the two were having sexual relations since december of last year. miller is out of jail after posting $50 -- $50,000 bond.

>> we are seeing sunshine break out, temperatures warming up close to 50 degrees. that is what we're reporting at the airport. the wind coming out the west at 70 miles per hour. it will stay that way through the early afternoon. 54 downtown, in the upper 40's in the northwest suburbs. expecting temperatures in the low to mid 50's. increasing clouds tonight as the track the next farm system. those details are coming up in the next forecast. >> it is that tuesday but the weather does not appear in -- appeared to be cooperating in new orleans. gras was oneuper of the most electrifying carnival season of all time. >> good afternoon, from bourbon street, where revelers are getting ready for what will be a full day and night of celebrating fat tuesday.

the forecast has been a bit of an issue. there is some rain brought the festival season. it has postponed a couple of parades. today they are rolling. there will be rain in the area throughout the day, heavy at times, but not enough to cancel this party. it is the end of the festival season. when you ask the restaurants and hotels, has this scare up the crowds, the forecast does not scared anyone away. vendors have said, we have sold a few more ponchos this year, but that means that people will stay out here no matter what the weather. almost a million people in this city. they are celebrating. it has been a great mardi gras thus far, and they're looking to close this out in style. >> still looks like they are having a lot of fun. still ahead, we on the

purchasing big appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers are huge investments. but if the need to replace any of them, state officials say this weekend could be the time to buy. $1 million is what police are offering the

>> the city of los angeles is offering a $1 million reward to help capture and ex-police officer wanted by police. christopher dorner is accused of killing three people in a revenge plot targeting the lapd. so far, the department had received 700 tips in the search, which is now in its second week. we are still in the flu season, and it is one of the worst. you can bet germs are lurking just about everywhere. if you think you can dodge the bullet just by isolating yourself, coming up in today's medical alert, there is really no where to hide. >> it makes me think about how many people hold this every day. we could have some snow tomorrow night. we will detail that. first, a live look at ocean city.

>> if you need to make a big plans purchase, your timing is perfect. shop maryland and the take place this weekend beginning after midnight saturday morning. you will not have to pay the 6% sales tax on certain energy star appliances. the idea is for consumers to be more grain as they say a little more green. >> the legislature and others have put in this tax-free

weekend for expensive appliances, dishwashers, air conditioning units, etc., and we are encouraging everyone to shop on saturday, sunday, monday, at locally owned businesses, and you will avoid the 6% sales tax. >> it begins at 12:01 saturday morning and ends on monday. unfortunately, there will not be a tax-free day on meat because be could be paying more for it soon. the white house says you can think pending federal budget cuts for the price hike. if cuts take effect march 1, there will be 2100 fewer facility inspections by the fda, which would put them with at risk and cost millions of lost for productions. the officials say they hope to avertunfortunately, there will e a tax- those cuts. valentine's day is only a few days away.

still can think of what to get for your significant other? try thinking outside the box of chocolates. nearly half of all americans would be happy to receive tickets to a live show. 47% of men said they would want to this to a sporting event, and give kurds are always in good present for your sweetheart. >> i wonder how many people are asking for snow for valentine's day? we may just get it. we have a storm system that we are tracking to event, marmite o valentine's day. the talk about the weather happening right now. stronger winds out of the north and west anywhere between 10 and 15 miles per hour. some wind gusts even near 30 miles per hour. this is helping to bring in cold air from the north and west. those westerly winds also do something different. as they come down from the mountains, they slow down as the

television goes down, and that causes the air to warm. so we have competing factors of the cold air coming in and the dow slipping warm air. 50 degrees at the airport, 53 degrees downtown. look at how much colder it is northwest of the city with low 40's in westminster. 30's in western maryland. they are not feeling that down sloping affect. the forecast for this afternoon, with the competing factors, only in the low to mid 50's with mostly sunny skies. that is when the wind will be at its busiest period as the wind decrease, back into the 40's. overnight, colder with lows in the 30's and upper 20's. increasing clouds as the next farm system comes our way. this is the storm that we are keeping an eye on. all this much is coming out the gulf of mexico. mainly producing a lot of rain

right now in the southern states, but some snow in the panhandle of texas and oklahoma. normally they do not see much snow in the winter season. this meets up with cold air, so this will change over to snow for some in maryland. this brings us into wednesday afternoon. rain over to snow in some spots, especially north and west of the 95 corridor. that is where most of the accumulation will be. as the storm pushes east, there could be accumulation in delaware and southern new jersey as well. most of the snow should clear out as we head into wednesday night and thursday morning. by valentine's day morning, there could be some snow on the ground. highs for tomorrow will only be in the upper 40's -- that is wrong. expecting temperatures only in the mid 30's. rain in the afternoon and then changing into snow. there is the correct temperature for the sunday forecast.

some snow possible on the ground by thursday morning, so be careful for the morning commute. we have another snow potential over the weekend. >> in today's medical alert, right now, the flu, bugs, and then borrow virus are all against us. we see exactly how quickly these jurors may spread, and this may spur you to stock up on that hand sanitizer. >> bacteria and viruses, these microscopic terms that make us sick are everywhere. but this year's especially bad flu season, you can run but you cannot hide from the terms all around us. >> these come from someone who coughs or sneezes, or somebody who gets the virus on his or her hand, and then touches something. >> once the jurors are present, how easily do we pass them around? we went to the offices of carfax

in centerville, virginia to spread around this special powder which goes under a black light with the indication of terms. replace them around high use areas around the office, in the kitchen, and on the computer, and that let employees go to work. after 20 minutes, we took a look. the powder, like the virus, have spread onto nearly everyone's hand and faces. >> i had a lot more than i expected to have. is pretty gross. >> you start to realize just how easily it gets passed around from person to person, object to object. >> once you touch another suspect -- person, the virus can be there for days. services are a great way to transmit viruses from person to person. >> an infectious disease specialist at the national institutes of health. he says temperature, humidity, and moisture all play a role in a virus's survival.

wood and paper can help a virus live longer. metal is not as hospitable, but none of that matters when it comes to high use and hard to clean surfaces, like doorknobs, phones, and computers. >> you are in an environment where surfaces touch many times. you have lots of chances to be infected. >> and this can make for a virtual petrie dish for viruses. >> i think i will go wash my hands as well. when it comes to vitamin d deficiency, a new study finds african-american and caucasian women should take the same dosages, although darker skin women tend to have lower levels of vitamin d, researchers found they do not need larger amounts of vitamin d to compensate. experts say they should follow the recommended guidelines according to their aid and medical conditions. coming up next, your maryland

lottery pick 3 and pick 4 numbers, and another check on the forecast. first, a look at how

>> carry angle from valley view farms is here to answer your plant questions.

you have some beautiful orchids? >> this is a time where we see a lot of failure announces orchids come into bloom. these will come into bloom for four to six months. >> and the less is more when it comes to water in these? i learned that the hard way. >> absolutely. >> here is a question from terry -- >> i would buy a great buying. whatever rider you have, you will have that with a wild grapes. now is a good time to get them. the plants are dormant right now, so it is time to pick one out and see how is put together. > >> not traditional grass. you could go for papyrus and some other things that would grow in wet areas, but i would be concerned about doing it in

an area that it is not wild. >> gravel always works. take her advice. nice to have you here. now, your maryland lottery pick 3 and pick 4 numbers. >> hello there. it is time to play your pick 3 numbers. 2. 1. final number, 9. your pick 3 numbers are 2, 1, 9. 40 chances to win up to $100,000 instantly. a second chance contest to win $40,000.

the first drawn deadline is tomorrow. we are ready to go with your pick 4 numbers. 8. 7. 1. final number, 2. your pick 4 numbers, 8, 7, 1, 2. the maryland lottery. let yourself play. >> we are talking about some snow. >> not that today, sunshine, breezy, temperatures in the 50's. tomorrow afternoon starts with the rain that changes into snow. there could be a couple of inches of accumulation by thursday morning especially in the northern parts of maryland. clearing out intfriday. saturday into sunday, potential for more snow. >> thank you for joining us.